Camera Labs

I am looking to get a strap. I am asking about types though, rather than brands, as there are several around.

I don't know whether to get a fixed or sliding strap.

One photographer on Youtube didn't like the sliding style, but a large number of others do.

The rig is a 500D with lightweight lens, and the smallest of straps can acdomodate 5KG, I think, so it's not a problem.

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Canon EOS 500D
Lenses: EFS 18-55mm IS, EF 50mm F/1.8 II

I'm a big fan of my BlackRapid strap. I find the strap across the shoulder to be much more comfortable. It's better for carrying any noticeable amount of weight (for me, any DSLR + lens is more than I would want around my neck), and I find the neck padding of traditional straps makes my neck sweaty and gross. Also, the BlackRapid strap has a bunch of small compartments for things like CF cards and a phone. I should point out, however, that you wouldn't want to use an across-the-shoulder BlackRapid strap with a backpack. I tend to carry other stuff (additional lenses/netbook/etc.) in other across-the-shoulder bags, so the BlackRapid doesn't get in the way. YMMV.

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Body: Canon Rebel XS, Canon EOS 7D
Lenses: Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.0 OS HSM DC Macro, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS II, Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II, Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM, Canon EF 85mm f1.8 II USM

I don't have a black rapid, but I do have a cheap knock-off of it. After using it for a while now I can't imagine anything else. It's really useful during outdoor photoshoots when I spend time messing around with light stands, I don't have to worry where I laid down my camera. Forget putting it around the neck, that's just a pain.

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Trevor Harris

Nikon D200
SB-600
YN-560 II
YN RF 603 x 4
Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8

My wife and I both use sliding-type Sunsniper straps, which work like the Black Rapid straps. She prefers the version with the metal cable that reinforces the strap against cutting. I prefer to be able to cut the strap in event of an emergency entanglement situation. I am not sure whether the Sunsniper or the Black Rapid was marketed first, but we found the Sunsniper at a local camera shop first. (Both are simple copies of cavalry carbine slings.) I prefer the lower-profile one-piece Black Rapid mounting point, and purchased one of them as a separate component. If I misplace my Sunsniper, I would be as likely to buy a Black Rapid as a replacement, though the next paragraph will discuss another possibility.

I have temporarily attached a Magpul MS2 sling to a camera, using a Black Rapid attachment point. This is a rifle sling, made for firearms, which is a high-quality product. It is quick-adjustable for length, can be used as a single-point sling, has a quick-release feature, and has been superseded by an improved MS3. I plan to investigate this option further, now that availability of Magpul slings has recently improved. (My one Magpul sling is used for its intended defensive weapon role; I wear a badge and possess weapons for official purposes.)

The Think Tank neck strap works really well on my Nikon FM3A. I have purchased a second one, to try on a heavier Canon DSLR, but have yet to mount it on any of them. There are times a simple neck strap seems more appropriate, and the Think Tank product seems very intelligently-designed.

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Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro

The Sunsniper mini version looks nice.

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Canon EOS 500D
Lenses: EFS 18-55mm IS, EF 50mm F/1.8 II

I just use Camulet AirCell Curved shoulder/neck strap.... They're really good and cheap

http://www.calumetphoto.co.uk/eng/produ ... rap/rm2004

I use them for both cameras and they're also detachable

but for heavier gear like what Im using I modded mine to be more safe because of the strap loosening overtime, I use a simple method to fix that by using safety pins

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http://www.AnderssonPhoto.com
Cameras: Leica M8, Nikon FE-2, Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark II, 40D
Lenses: Voigtländer Nokton Classic 35mm 1.4, Ultra Wide Heliar 12mm 5.6 ASPH II, Nikkor AI-S 28mm 2.8, Canon 24-70 2.8L, 85mm 1.2L II, 300mm 2.8L IS, TS-E 45mm 2.8, Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro
Canon 1.4x/2X TC II, Canon 580EX II X2, Gitzo + Manfrotto.
Wishlist: Leica Monochrom, Summilux 50 ASPH, Voigtlander 35mm 1.2 ASPH II

love my blackrapids r-strap

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Mike "The Squirrel"
Canon 550D | Canon EF 35mm 1:2 | Canon 50 f/1.8 II | Sigma 18-125mm DC OS | Tamron SP 70-300mm Di VC USD | Canon 430EX II
Military Issued Canon 40D | Canon 55-250mm IS

oh I also have Cottoncarrier ^^ its a holster thing for cameras, also mounts on ur chest, looks like a mini version of a body armor

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http://www.AnderssonPhoto.com
Cameras: Leica M8, Nikon FE-2, Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark II, 40D
Lenses: Voigtländer Nokton Classic 35mm 1.4, Ultra Wide Heliar 12mm 5.6 ASPH II, Nikkor AI-S 28mm 2.8, Canon 24-70 2.8L, 85mm 1.2L II, 300mm 2.8L IS, TS-E 45mm 2.8, Sigma 105mm 2.8 Macro
Canon 1.4x/2X TC II, Canon 580EX II X2, Gitzo + Manfrotto.
Wishlist: Leica Monochrom, Summilux 50 ASPH, Voigtlander 35mm 1.2 ASPH II

Loved my BlackRapid RS-5 strap, but after I lost it, got the RS-W1 for women, and it's far more comfortable and size-appropriate for me. Just don't forget to give the fastener a twist every once in a while; you never know when it gets loose.

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D: iPhone 4S, Canon 5DmII, Panasonic DMC-LX3, Fujifilm F30, Canon 30D, Nikon CoolPix 8700 | A: Leica M3, Holga 120N, Contax Tvs, Polaroid Spectra, Canon 50E, Rolleicord, Canon AE-1P
Canon lenses: 16-35L II, 24-70L, 50 1.4, 70-200 2.8L IS, 10-22

Can you get a Blackrapid RS-5 strap with an option such as used with the ProtectorR? It has a 1.5mm steel cord, against cutting. An RS-5 Cargo would be a good choice for me.

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Nikon D700, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Future purchases: Nikkor 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8G ED & AF Fisheye 16mm f/2.8D

Can you get a Blackrapid RS-5 strap with an option such as used with the ProtectorR? It has a 1.5mm steel cord, against cutting. An RS-5 Cargo would be a good choice for me.

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Nikon D700, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Future purchases: Nikkor 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8G ED & AF Fisheye 16mm f/2.8D

I like the look of the RS5 and RS7 (sports). I have no experience with them though.

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Canon EOS 500D
Lenses: EFS 18-55mm IS, EF 50mm F/1.8 II

I think looking at the photos on their website it looks very well thought out, I think I would buy one of their straps plus the feedback here in this thread seems quite favourable. The price isn't even that bad, well in my opinion anyway!

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Nikon D700, Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED

Future purchases: Nikkor 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8G ED & AF Fisheye 16mm f/2.8D

Blackrapid for me

recently got a black rapid rs4 , love it, should have done it ages ago.

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Canon Powershot S95, Canon 7D, 15-85, Canon 85 1.8 USM, Sigma 30 1.4, 50mm 1.8, Canon 100 2.8L IS Macro, Canon 70-300L IS USM+Kenko 1.4 Pro 300DGX, Canon 430EX II and RS 4 Classic